System and method for semi-distributed event warning notification for individual entities, and computer program product therefor

ABSTRACT

An information system, method, and computer program product is provided for the semi-distributed warning of existing or developing significant events and/or threats to all network bridges in the system, and then to affected users carrying a user warning and positioning device, while reporting the location of all user&#39;s carrying the user warning and positioning devices of the system to existing command and control systems. The present invention&#39;s future event warning capabilities permit those same users to be warned of impending events in enough time for the users to take positive actions in response to these events and/or address those events. The system of the present invention includes a pager-like user warning and positioning device, worn by or carried by the individual user, or mounted in a vehicle or vessel, having a geographical positioning means therein, which periodically transmits the geographical location of the individual user, vehicle or vessel to local network bridges, and listens for warning/notification event messages transmitted by the local network bridge. When an event/threat warning is received by an affected user warning and positioning device, the pager-like user warning and positioning alerts the user via indicia relative to the event/situation, including audible spoken warnings and instructions on how to react, and may retransmit the event/threat warning to other user warning and positioning devices in the network, provided the threat has not occurred and the event/threat warning has not been previously relayed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/764,385, entitled “System and Method forSemi-Distributed Event Warning/Notification for Individual Entities” andfiled Jan. 26, 2006, which is fully incorporated herein by referenceherein.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT INTEREST

The invention described herein may be manufactured, used, imported,sold, and licensed by or for the Government of the United States ofAmerica, without the payment or any royalty thereon or therefor.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of communicationsnotification and warning systems, and more particularly, to a networkinformation system that combines hardware components and a correspondingcomputer software system to provide a semi-distributed system and methodfor real-time event warning/notification to numerous individual entitiesacross dispersed locations via one or more central event/threatreceiving stations, one or more network bridges, and one or more userwarning and positioning devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the salient features of today's modern organizations on a global,national, regional and local level is the ability to leverageinformation technology to command and control systems in real ornear-real time. Advances in the technologies that integrate sensor andcommunications systems, for instance, facilitate determination of theprecise location of mobile vehicles. Also, a plurality of moderninformation systems permit such location determination, including space,airborne, terrestrial and marine-based command and control systems.

Every vehicle equipped with such a command and control system is able todetermine the location using global positioning system (GPS) technology,and then report that vehicle's information to higher commandstructures/systems using secure wireless linkages. Vehicles equippedwith command and control systems also receive a variety of messages fromhigher command structures/systems, including the known locations ofother related vehicles and other unknown or suspected locations ofnon-related vehicles. Command and control systems also allow vehicles tosend and receive warning messages and, in turn, permit, for instance,the alerting of related vehicles about such significant events whetherdeveloping or in progress.

Though command and control systems warning messages are often manuallygenerated, there are other information systems in use today, such asweather and tsunami stations, that automatically generate threat warningmessages without human intervention. One of the military systems thatautomatically generates a threat warning message is the AN/TPQ-36Firefinder Counter-fire Radar, which is able to detect projectiles inflight, compute their predicted points of origin and predicted points ofimpact, and automatically broadcast this information to other systems.The above described system still leaves the most numerous and vulnerableassets, humans, exposed to threats. Thus, there is a need tosignificantly enhance survivability.

Accordingly, there is a need for a network information system thatallows command organizations/structures to know the location in realtime of all their remote human assets, such as dismounted soldiers,emergency responders, remote construction crews, etc., as well as warnthose assets whenever an event, such as a man-made or environmentalthreat, exists or is inbound. These warnings must be expeditiouslydistributed, received, and processed to permit sufficient time forpotentially affected human assets to alter their protective postureand/or take positive actions in response to the predicted event. In thepast, this quick response time has not been achieved in practice. Thisis understandable when considering the vast number of end systems, andresulting costs required to equip every remote human asset in a field ofoperations.

Accordingly, there is a need for a system that enables training,simulation, and rehearsal capabilities, along with real-time use byorganizations, first responders, public safety, emergency managementpersonnel, etc. for providing warning of harmful events, such as naturaldisasters, medical emergencies, military threats, homeland securityevents, and natural disaster incidents. In addition, there is a need forremotely located individuals, such as skiers, hikers, etc. to beprovided with warning of harmful events, such as sudden violent weatherchanges, avalanches, and natural disasters. Further, there is a need forremotely located vehicles and vessels to be provided with a warning ofpotentially harmful events, such as, for example, violent oceanconditions, sea state changes, and tidal waves.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide anetworked information system and method that combines a plurality ofcomponents to effectively distribute a real-time eventwarning/notification to many individual entities (i.e., small, easilytransportable user warning and positioning devices) across dispersedlocations, as well as a computer program product therefor. It isdesirable that only the affected individual nodes be alerted of thefuture event, so as to minimize the amount of bandwidth needed for thesystem, as well as minimizing the cost of the user devices themselves.As such, it is desirable to determine, at a local node, whether or notthese predicted events pertain to their locales, and react accordinglyby transmitting an event warning message only to those affectedindividual nodes in communication with the local node.

It is another object of the present invention to enable the networkedinformation system to monitor other connected information systems forexternally and internally generated event warning/notification messages.

It is yet another object of the present invention to transmit eventwarning/notification messages on a secure wireless network wheneverthese are received.

It is another object of the present invention to enable the individualnodes to retransmit received event warning/notification messages toother user warning and positioning devices that may not have receivedthe original message.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a tailoredevent warning/notification to a user of the networked informationsystem, method and computer program product of the present invention,based on message and user-defined setup parameters.

Still a further object of the present invention is to track the locationof each equipped organization, individual human asset and/or vehicle,and periodically report this information to designated command andcontrol organizations/structures, whether space-based, airborne,terrestrial and/or marine-based, using standard or customized messagingformats.

Another object of the present invention is to enable the warning of eachequipped organization, individual human asset, vehicle, or other entityevery time a significant event is predicted to occur or impact within agiven distance from the individual user's location. In doing so, it isdesirable that the distance parameter be kept to a minimum, to precludefalse positives, but also account for an expected event radius or areaas well as for errors in determining the location of the user, and ofthe predicted point of event or impact.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a securenetwork system, by using encrypted communications. However, the endsystem itself should not compromise friendly forces, even when capturedintact by an opponent. This means that the information contained in thedevices carried by individual assets should be minimal, and of extremelylimited utility to an adversary, in the case of a military orconfidential application.

Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to incorporatemechanisms that allow lost or captured devices to be selectivelyexcluded from participating in the network.

It is still another object of the present invention to permitassets/users to carry an unobtrusive user warning notification devicethat is of minimal size. It is also an object of the present inventionthat the system user warning device be capable of operating for extendedperiods of times, on the order of weeks and months, in a tacticalenvironment, with no required user interaction.

It is a further object of the present invention that the networkedinformation system, method and computer program product of the presentinvention be applicable to training, simulation and rehearsal, alongwith real-time use by organizations, such as first responders, publicsafety, emergency management personnel, and provide warning of harmfulevents, such as emergency response, homeland security, and naturaldisaster incidents. In addition, it is an object of the presentinvention that the system, method and computer program product beapplicable to remotely located individuals, such as skiers, hikers,etc., to be provided warning of harmful events, such as sudden violentweather changes, avalanches, natural disasters, etc.

Further, it is an object of the present invention that same beapplicable to remotely located vehicles and vessels, so as to providewarning of harmful events, such as violent ocean conditions/sea statechanges/tidal waves, for example.

It is also an object of the present invention, in order to overcome thedifficulties discussed above, to provide a system and software programproduct for use in such a system, to automatically facilitate thereal-time user warning notification to many individual entities acrossdispersed locations.

These and other objects in advantages of this invention will becomeapparent when considered in light of the following description whentaken together with the accompanying drawings.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a robust, versatile andcost-effective solution for event warning/notification for individualentities. Unlike other notification approaches, this method allows forremote and virtually instantaneous, semi-distributed notification offuture events or threats.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to solve the problems associatedwith the prior art inability to cost-effectively provide real-timewarning notification to numerous remotely located human assets (users),as described above. In order to achieve the objects of the presentinvention, as discussed above, the present inventors have earnestlyendeavored to create a network information system, method, and computerprogram product to use in the network information system, to effectivelydistribute to numerous individuals over a dispersed area, event warningmessages in a timely fashion.

In particular, in a first embodiment of the present invention, a networkevent warning system enabling distribution of event warning messages toone or more individual entities within the network information system isprovided comprising:

(a) one or more situational awareness workstation and threat warninggateways capable of receiving event warnings from linked and/or remotesensors, and/or other externally generated event warning messages, eachof said situation awareness workstation and threat warning gatewayscomprising:

a gateway wireless communications means capable of receiving andtransmitting data; and

situational awareness workstation computing means in communication withthe situational awareness workstation and threat warning gateway andwireless communication means, said situational awareness workstationcomputing means;

(b) one or more network bridges in communication with the situationalawareness workstation and threat warning gateway, each network bridgedefining a local node, said network bridges providing a communicationsinterface between individual user warning and positioning devices andthe situational awareness workstation and threat warning gateway, eachof said network bridges comprising:

-   -   (i) a network bridge wireless communications means capable of        receiving and transmitting data; and    -   (ii) network bridge computer processing means in communication        with the network bridge and network wireless communications        means, individual user warning and positioning devices, sensors,        and command and control systems; and    -   (iii) a local data storage means in communication with the        network bridge computer processing means, for storage of        location/geographical position data received from the individual        user warning and positioning devices;

(c) one or more user warning and positioning devices, each user warningand positioning device defining an individual node, each of said devicescomprising:

-   -   (i) a warning device computer processing means;    -   (ii) a global positioning system (GPS) means capable of        calculating the location of the user warning device, said GPS in        communication with the warning device computer processing means;    -   (iii) a wireless communications means in communication with the        warning device computer processing means; and    -   (iv) one or more sensory notification means;

(d) network situational awareness workstation application program codeembodied on a computer readable medium for execution on the situationalawareness workstation and threat gateway computer processing meanscapable of authenticating event warning messages, processing andanalyzing the event warning messages via an event predictiondetermination process to produce predicted future event warningmessages, and distributing future event warning messages to the networkbridges comprising:

-   -   (i) application program code operable to decode and authenticate        a valid event warning message, input directly or indirectly into        the situational awareness workstation and threat warning        gateway, by verifying the digital signature of the event warning        message;    -   (ii) application program code operable to input and authenticate        an event warning message into an event prediction determination        process, thereby analyzing the event warning message to predict        a corresponding future event with associated relevant        information including predicted event type, location, area        impacted, start time, and duration;    -   (iii) application program code operable to distribute the        predicted future event and associated relevant information to        all network bridges within the information network, without        regard to whether a specific local or individual node will be        affected by the predicted future event; and    -   (iv) application program code operable to convert the format of        the predicted future event information, in terms of electronic        format and content, to alternative electronic formats, before        distribution;

(e) bridge application program code embodied on a computer readablemedium for execution on the network bridge computer processing means forprocessing event warning messages received from the situationalawareness workstation and threat warning gateway, and other externalsources, determining which user warning and positioning devices incommunication with the local node will be affected by the future event,and distributing an authenticated event warning message of an event tooccur in the future to all affected user warning and positioningdevices, said bridge application program code comprising:

-   -   (i) application program code operable to automatically verify        the authenticity of an event warning message reporting an event        to occur in the future, by examining its digital signature, so        as to produce either an invalid or valid event warning message;    -   (ii) application program code operable to input a valid event        warning message into an event prediction process, wherein the        predicted time of the event is compared with the local time, to        determine whether the event will occur at some future time;    -   (iii) application program code operable to track the status of        each user warning and positioning devices with which the network        bridge is in communication, by receiving periodic location        reports from each user warning and positioning device, and        storing said location report in the local data storage means;    -   (iv) application program code operable to automatically compare        the locale to be affected by an authenticated event warning        message of an event to occur in the future within the locale of        the local node, to determine the affected area;    -   (v) application program code operable to identify all user        warning and positioning devices in communication with the local        node which are in the affected area, by comparing the most        recent location data contained in the location reports of each        user warning and positioning device with location data of the        affected area, so as to determine all affected user warning and        positioning devices;    -   (v) application program code operable to send notification to        all affected user warning and positioning devices of an        authenticated event warning message of an event predicted to        occur in the future;    -   (vi) application program code operable to log off and discard        all invalid and elapsed event warning messages;    -   (vii) application program code operable to input and translate        authenticated event warning messages from individual user        warning and positioning devices into other message formats        utilized by other different command and control systems;    -   (viii) application program code operable to filter event warning        messages that should not be sent from one network to the other;    -   (ix) application program code operable to enable the network        bridges to communicate with sensors, individual user warning and        positioning devices, and command and control systems, using        different networks and protocols; and    -   (x) application program code operable to issue keys acting as        the root certificate authority for all nodes in the network,        thereby permitting the network bridges and user warning and        positioning devices to authenticate each other;

(f) user warning and positioning device application program codeembodied on a computer-readable medium for execution on the user warningdevice computer processing means in conjunction with the bridgeapplication program code and the situational awareness workstationprogram code, said user warning device application program code beingcapable of decoding messages, validating received event warningmessages, and then issuing a notification of an event predicted to occurin the future in the locale of the user warning device, said userwarning device application program code comprising:

-   -   (i) application program code operable to authenticate received        event warning messages by verifying the digital signature of the        event warning messages;    -   (ii) application program code operable to decode incoming coded        messages;    -   (iii) application program code operable to query a local cache        of messages to determine whether an event warning message has        already been relayed;    -   (iv) application program code operable to relay event warning        messages concerning an event that has not as yet happened and        has not as yet been relayed;    -   (v) application program code operable to notify local nodes        within the affected area of the predicted future event, and        activate user warning and positioning devices based upon the        time remaining until the predicted event; and    -   (vi) application program code operable to activate one or more        of the sensory notification means in the user warning devices        when a valid event warning message is received.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, the network eventwarning system of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the bridgeapplication program code further comprises:

application program code operable to selectively disable or alterindividual user warning and positioning devices that appear to have beencompromised or lost.

In a third embodiment of the present invention, the network eventwarning system of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the bridgeapplication program code further comprises:

application program code operable to reconfigure any parameters in theindividual user warning and positioning devices, and application programcode therein.

In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, the network eventwarning system of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the bridgeapplication program code further comprises:

application program code operable to interface one or more of thenetwork bridges with an optional laptop computer running on an operatingsystem.

In a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the network eventwarning system of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the bridgeapplication program code further comprises:

application program code operable to revoke the certificate of a userwarning and positioning device.

In a sixth embodiment of the present invention, the network eventwarning system of the first embodiment above is provided, wherein theuser warning and positioning device application program code furthercomprises:

application program code operable to convert event warning messages tohuman voice warnings, said human voice warnings comprising instructionson what subsequent action to take in response to the future event.

In a seventh embodiment of the present invention, the network eventwarning system of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the userwarning and positioning device application program code furthercomprises:

application program code operable to encrypt outgoing messages.

In an eighth embodiment of the present invention, the network eventwarning system of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the bridgeapplication program code further comprises:

application program code operable to encrypt outgoing messages.

In a ninth embodiment of the present invention, the network eventwarning system of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the userwarning and positioning device application program code furthercomprises:

application program code operable to utilize spread-spectrum technologyto prevent basic triangulation efforts to locate the user warning andpositioning device.

In a tenth embodiment of the present invention, the network eventwarning system of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the userwarning and positioning devices are capable of communicating over wiredor wireless systems to the network bridges and other user warning andpositioning devices.

In an eleventh embodiment of the present invention, the network eventwarning system of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the userwarning and positioning device application program code furthercomprises:

application program code operable to reconfigure the files stored in theuser warning and positioning device.

In a twelfth embodiment of the present invention, the network eventwarning system of the first embodiment is provided, wherein the bridgeapplication program code further comprises:

application program code operable to connect user warning andpositioning devices to command and control systems and sensor systems.

In a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, a computer programproduct for tactical distributed event warning over a network eventwarning system is provided, comprising:

(a) network situational awareness workstation application program codeembodied on a computer readable medium for execution on a situationalawareness workstation and threat gateway computer processing meanscapable of authenticating event warning messages, processing andanalyzing the event warning messages via an event predictiondetermination process to produce predicted future event warningmessages, and distributing future event warning messages to one or morenetwork bridges comprising:

-   -   (i) application program code operable to decode and authenticate        a valid event warning message, input directly or indirectly into        the situational awareness workstation and threat warning        gateway, by verifying the digital signature of the event warning        message;    -   (ii) application program code operable to input and authenticate        an event warning message into an event prediction determination        process, thereby analyzing the event warning message to predict        a corresponding future event with associated relevant        information including predicted event type, location, area        impacted, start time, and duration;    -   (iii) application program code operable to distribute the        predicted future event and associated relevant information to        all network bridges within the information network, without        regard to whether a specific local or individual node will be        affected by the predicted future event; and    -   (iv) application program code operable to convert the format of        the predicted future event information, in terms of electronic        format and content, to alternative electronic formats, before        distribution;

(b) bridge application program code embodied on a computer readablemedium for execution on a network bridge computer processing means forprocessing event warning messages received from the situationalawareness workstation and threat warning gateway, and other externalsources, so as to determine which user warning and positioning devicesin communication with the network bridge will be affected by the futureevent, and distribute an authenticated event warning message of an eventto occur in the future to all affected user warning and positioningdevices, said bridge application program code comprising:

-   -   (i) application program code operable to automatically verify        the authenticity of an event warning message reporting an event        to occur in the future, by examining its digital signature, so        as to produce either an invalid or valid event warning message;    -   (ii) application program code operable to input a valid event        warning message into an event prediction process, wherein the        predicted time of the event is compared with the local time, to        determine whether the event will occur at some future time;    -   (iii) application program code operable to track the status of        user warning and positioning devices with which the network        bridge is in communication, by receiving periodic location        reports from each user warning and positioning device, and        storing said location report in a local data storage means;    -   (iv) application program code operable to automatically compare        the locale to be affected by an authenticated event warning        message of an event to occur in the future within the locale of        the network bridge, to determine the affected area;    -   (v) application program code operable to identify all user        warning and positioning devices in communication with the        network bridge which are in the affected area, by comparing most        recent location data contained in location reports received from        each user warning and positioning device in communication with        the network bridge with location data of the affected area, so        as to determine all affected user warning and positioning        devices;    -   (vi) application program code operable to send notification to        all affected user warning and positioning devices of an        authenticated event warning message of an event predicted to        occur in the future;    -   (vii) application program code operable to log off and discard        all invalid and elapsed event warning messages;    -   (viii) application program code operable to input and translate        authenticated event warning messages from individual user        warning and positioning devices into other message formats        utilized by other different command and control systems;    -   (ix) application program code operable to filter event warning        messages that should not be sent from one network to the other;    -   (x) application program code operable to enable the network        bridges to communicate with sensors, individual user warning and        positioning devices, and command and control systems, using        different networks and protocols; and    -   (xi) application program code operable to issue keys acting as        the root certificate authority for all nodes in the network,        thereby permitting the network bridges and user warning and        positioning devices to authenticate each other;

(c) user warning and positioning device application program codeembodied on a computer-readable medium for execution on the user warningdevice computer processing means in conjunction with the bridgeapplication program code and the situational awareness workstationprogram code, said user warning device application program code beingcapable of decoding messages, validating received event warningmessages, and then issuing a notification of an event predicted to occurin the future in the locale of the user warning device, said userwarning device application program code comprising:

-   -   (i) application program code operable to authenticate received        event warning messages by verifying the digital signature of the        event warning messages;    -   (ii) application program code operable to decode incoming coded        messages;    -   (iii) application program code operable to query a local cache        of messages to determine whether an event warning message has        already been relayed;    -   (iv) application program code operable to relay event warning        messages concerning an event that has not as yet happened and        has not as yet been relayed;    -   (v) application program code operable to notify local nodes        within the affected area of the predicted future event, and        activate user warning and positioning devices based upon the        time remaining until the predicted event; and    -   (vi) application program code operable to activate one or more        of the sensory notification means in the user warning and        positioning devices when a valid event warning message is        received.

In a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention, the computerprogram product of the thirteenth embodiment above is provided, whereinthe network bridge application program code further comprises:

application program code operable to selectively disable or alterindividual user warning and positioning devices that appear to have beencompromised or lost.

In a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention, the computer programproduct of the thirteenth embodiment above is provided, wherein thenetwork bridge application program code further comprises:

application program code operable to reconfigure any parameters in theindividual user warning and positioning devices, and application programcode therein.

In a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention, the computer programproduct of the thirteenth embodiment above is provided, wherein thenetwork bridge application program code further comprises:

application program code operable to interface one or more networkbridges with an optional laptop computer running on a conventionaloperating system.

In a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention, the computerprogram product of the thirteenth embodiment is provided, wherein thenetwork bridge application program code further comprises:

application program code operable to revoke the certificate of a userwarning and positioning device.

In an eighteenth embodiment of the present invention, a method forreceiving and tactically semi-distributing event warnings is provided,said method comprising the steps of:

-   -   (1) electronically receiving an event warning message, having a        digital signature, at a situational awareness workstation;    -   (2) examining the digital signature of the event warning message        to authenticate the event warning message;    -   (3) decoding the authenticated event warning message into a        readable format;    -   (4) analyzing the authenticated event warning message so as to        generate corresponding predicted event and associated relevant        information, said predicted event and associated relevant        information including event type, event location, area impacted,        event start time, and event duration, so as to define an event        warning message;    -   (5) converting the event warning message to an electronic format        and content readable by a network bridge (local node) and a user        warning and positioning device (individual node);    -   (6) distributing the event warning message by transmission of        same from the situational awareness workstation to all network        bridges in communication with the situational awareness        workstation, without regard to whether a specific local or        individual node will be affected by the predicted event;    -   (7) receipt of the event warning message in one or more network        bridges, and verifying, in the network bridges, the validity of        the event warning message received from the situational        awareness workstation, so as to authenticate same;    -   (8) comparing, in the network bridges, the predicted time of the        predicted event in the authenticated event warning message with        the local time, to determine whether the event has already        occurred, and if the predicted event has not occurred, generate        a future authenticated event warning message;    -   (9) filtering out event warning messages, at the network        bridges, that should not be sent from one network to another,        due to lack of validity or authenticity;    -   (10) tracking the status of user warning and positioning devices        in communication with the network bridge, to determine active or        inactive status thereof, by receiving period location reports        containing location data from each user warning and positioning        device in communication with a network bridge, and storing the        location reports in a local storage means in communication with        the network bridge;    -   (11) comparing the locale to be affected by the valid and        authenticated event warning message with the local data for each        user warning and positioning device, so as to determine user        warning and positioning devices to be affected by the future        event;    -   (12) translating the future authenticated event warning messages        at the network bridge into other message formats utilized by        other different command and control systems and user warning and        positioning devices;    -   (13) issuing, at the network bridges, keys acting as the root        certificate authority for all nodes in the network information        system, permitting the network bridges and user warning and        positioning devices to authenticate each other;    -   (14) distributing the valid, converted and authenticated event        warning message from the network bridges to all affected active        user warning and positioning devices in communication with the        network bridge;    -   (15) receiving the valid, converted and authenticated event        warning message at the affected user warning and positioning        devices,    -   (16) examining, in the user warning and positioning devices, the        digital signature of the incoming event warning message to        verify its authenticity;    -   (17) discarding all invalid and elapsed warning messages at the        user warning and positioning devices;    -   (18) comparing in the user warning and positioning devices the        time of the predicted event or threat in the event warning        message to the local time, to determine whether the event will        occur at some future time and, if it will, authenticating the        message;    -   (19) decoding, in the user warning and positioning devices,        incoming coded event warning messages;    -   (20) activating one or more notification mechanisms in the user        warning and positioning devices, including sensory mechanisms, a        user notification concerning the received event warning message.

In a nineteenth embodiment of the present invention, the method forreceiving and tactically distributing event warnings of the eighteenthembodiment above is provided, further comprising the step ofestablishing and maintaining communication between the network bridge,sensors, user warning and positioning devices, and command and controlsystems, using different networks and protocols.

In a twentieth embodiment of the present invention, the method forreceiving and tactically distributing event warnings of the eighteenthembodiment above is provided, further comprising:

sending a query from the user warning and positioning devices to a localcache of messages to determine whether the event warning message hasalready been relayed; and

relaying, from the user warning and positioning devices to other nodesin the network information system, the event warning message concerningan event that has not as yet happened and has not as yet been relayed.

In a twenty first embodiment of the present invention, the method forreceiving and tactically distributing event warnings of the seventeenthembodiment above is provided, further comprising converting valid eventwarning messages to human voice warnings with instructions on whatsubsequent action to take.

In a twenty second embodiment of the present invention, the method forreceiving and tactically distributing event warnings of the eighteenthembodiment above is provided, further comprising sending messages fromone or more of the network bridges to one or more of user warning andpositioning devices, to either alter, reconfigure, or disable one ormore of the user warning and positioning devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide furtherunderstanding of the present invention, and are incorporated in andconstitute a part of the specification, illustrating samples of thepresent invention and together with the description serve to explain theprinciples of the present invention. The invention will now be describedfurther with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the semi-distributed eventwarning/notification system for individual entities of the presentinvention, illustrating the flow of information to the situationalawareness work station and threat warning gateway, the affiliatednetwork bridges, and all affected individual user warning andpositioning devices of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram, illustrating the functions and stepsundertaken by the computer program product of the present invention inreceiving and processing future event warning messages at thesituational awareness workstation and threat warning gateway, and thenthe each of the network bridges, to determine whether the event isrelevant and in condition for transmission to the individual nodes.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram, illustrating the decision-making processcarried out by the network bridge computer program product of thepresent invention in determining whether to relay an event warningmessage received from the situational awareness workstation and threatwarning gateways.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following section describes various preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, while exemplifying the semi-distributed eventwarning/notification system, method, and computer program software ofthe present invention.

The present invention applies engineering design principles to improvecommercial products and military applications for situational awarenessand event warning. The present invention is a networked informationsystem that combines hardware components, wireless technologies, andcomputer software programs to provide a semi-distributed system andmethod for real-time event warning/notification to all network bridgesacross dispersed locations. The network bridges, in turn, determinewhether or not these events pertain to their locales, and if so,transmit an event warning message to all affected user warning andpositioning devices in communication with the network bridge.

For instance, if the system is notified that an artillery shell is inthe air and will strike a certain point at a certain time, this messagewill be distributed to all local nodes within the system (i.e., allnetwork bridges), allowing the local nodes to determine whether any ofthe user warning and positioning devices in communication with thenetwork bridge is in the danger radius. If so, an event warning messageis sent to only the affected individual nodes, to alert their users,while all other unaffected individual nodes remain silent. The presentinvention supports a plurality of network types, e.g., radio, local areanetworks, etc.

The present invention's system architecture satisfies the presentinvention's objectives by determining, at the local nodes (i.e., thenetwork bridges), whether a user, such as a public safety professionalor soldier, carrying a user warning and positioning device, is inside apredicted future event area. This system and method achieves same bycomparing the location of an individual user warning and positioningdevice (by referencing location reports stored in the local data storagemeans) at the time of receipt of the future event warning at the localnode with each known event or threat area to determine whether or not auser must be warned at that time, or at a later time up through thepredicted future time of the event as the user changes geographiclocations.

This is the most computationally intensive calculation required tosatisfy the system and method objectives, as errors in this calculationcan either erode trust in the system or result in injury or death, orboth, of the user. Accordingly, the present invention's architecturepermits the ongoing computation of user locations and threat areas atthe local nodes from the time of receipt of the future event warningmessage at the local nodes up to the predicted future event time. Byperforming these intensive calculations at the local nodes, the userwarning and positioning devices components and size can be minimized.

The present invention further provides a robust solution in the case ofthe loss, compromise or incapacitation of a computational node, e.g.,the user warning and positioning device, by affecting only theindividual user, such as a public safety professional or soldier, forexample. Specifically, according to the present invention, networkbridges are utilized to connect the user warning and positioning devicesto the command and control and sensor systems, wherein the user warningand positioning devices are not affiliated with a specific networkbridge. Instead, each user warning and positioning device is able toexchange messages with any other system component, whether another userwarning and positioning device or a network bridge. The presentinvention is advantageous in that it increases the robustness of theability to provide warnings within an event area or structure, such as abuilding, since each node is often multi-homed.

Accordingly, FIG. 1 illustrates the semi-distributedwarning/notification method and system of the present invention. One ormore situational awareness workstation and threat warning gateways(hereinafter “gateways”) is established, as well as network bridgestructures (A, B, C, etc.) which provide the principal data management.The network bridges are, in turn, in communication with user warning andpositioning devices on assets (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.), being humans, inthis example. Event warning information concerning an event locale,e.g., area XY, is delivered to the gateways. Subsequently, an eventwarning message is communicated to network bridges A, B and C. Thenetwork bridges then determine the present location of all user warningand positioning devices in communication with that network bridge,compare that location to the location of the predicted future event,and, in turn, communicate an event warning message to all affected userwarning and positioning devices in communication therewith.

Location (position) information of the assets (users) is generated inthe user warning and positioning devices, via a geographical positioningmeans (GPS) located therein, and periodically communicated to networkbridges, e.g., A, B, C, etc., via wireless transmission means. Thelocation information received from the individual user warning andpositioning devices is then stored in the local data storage means incommunication with each network bridge and, optionally, also sent to thegateways. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, for Area XY, there is anevent warning message that is communicated to the gateway and,subsequently, location and event warning/notification information, inthe form of an event warning message, is communicated to the networkbridges, and on to the affected individual user warning and positioningdevices (individual nodes). Moreover, event and asset locationinformation is communicated not only to those assets (individual nodes)within the affected or threat area, but also may be communicated to andbetween assets not in the affected or threat area by relaying of eventwarning messages from one individual node to another. Thus, threat andlocation information may be communicated to all affected user warningand positioning devices in the system, whether or not they are inconstant communication with the network bridges.

The present invention's system includes three types of nodes: thegateways (central nodes), the network bridge devices (local nodes), anduser warning and positioning devices (individual nodes), e.g.,pager-sized modularized user warning and positioning devices, asillustrated in FIG. 1. The network bridge devices communicate on atleast two separate networks. Most commonly, one of these networks is thenetwork over which the pager-size user warning and positioning devicescommunicate. The other network(s) allows the system to receiveexternally-generated event warning/notification messages.

The pager-sized user warning and positioning devices communicatewirelessly with the network bridge devices that receive alerts from thesituational awareness workstation and threat warning gateway, othernetwork bridge devices, other user warning and positioning devicesand/or other information systems communicating over a wired or wirelessnetwork. According to the present invention, although a fixedinfrastructure may be utilized, there is no need for a fixedinfrastructure. Given the need for user warning and positioning devicesto communicate with each other, as well as with any network bridgeswithin range, the wireless communications subsystem must support a largenumber of nodes (i.e., a large number of network bridges and userwarning and positioning devices) operating simultaneously within abroadcast environment.

Furthermore, since the system of the present invention can be deployedto hundreds of assets, e.g., soldiers in a theater of operation,emergency response personnel, etc., the wireless communicationssubsystem must also provide a mechanism for breaking up broadcastdomains. The present invention permits different domains to be assignedto the various user warning and positioning devices, so that saiddevices may operate in close proximity to each other without interferingwith each other's receiving and transmitting functions.

The present invention also provides for adaptive power management. Theuser warning and positioning device transmits at the lowest possiblepower level in order to conserve energy, as well as to minimize the riskof enemy detection in military or law enforcement applications.Alternately, the user warning and positioning devices is capable oftransmitting at a fairly high power level when operating in challengingenvironments, such as densely developed urban areas or mountainousenvironments, or when the user, e.g., a soldier, is laying prone or theasset's vehicle has a low profile. Thus, the present invention'scommunications module's output power is configurable in a flexiblemanner by the user warning and positioning device's computer processingmeans.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the user warning andpositioning device's configuration file, encryption key, and/or softwareis updated using a physical or secure wireless connection from a trustedsource. This trust, like the validity of received event warningmessages, is based on a digital signature. The present invention'sphysical connections for updates permit the system to be securelyreconfigured when a key or device has been compromised.

Also, the present invention considers the potential exploitation ofthese devices by adversaries, in the military or law enforcementapplications. Given the fact that the user warning and positioningdevices are configured to periodically generate and transmit locationreports to the network bridges and, optionally, on to the gatewaysand/or CCS's, it may be possible for an enemy to triangulate theposition of each user warning and positioning device. To address thisthreat, the user warning and positioning devices' communications moduleprovides the capability to thwart basic triangulation effort by, forexample, utilizing spread-spectrum technologies.

Spread-spectrum techniques are methods in which energy generated at asingle frequency is deliberately spread over a wide band of frequencies.This is done for a variety of reasons, including increasing resistanceto natural interference or jamming and to prevent hostile detection. Acontemporary application of this technique is used in the Single ChannelGround and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) by changing frequencies(frequency-hopping) several times per second. In a preferred embodimentof the present invention, the user warning and positioning devicesimilarly uses frequency-hopping spread spectrum techniques to thwartpossible triangulation efforts.

The system and method of the present invention provide for theintegration of the event information and warning notification. Basedupon the present invention's exemplary applications, the resultinggeneral method steps can be understood as follows:

Step 1: An action (event) occurs that generates a predictable event(s)that will occur in the future. (Example: An enemy artillery batteryshoots at a friendly unit location.)

Step 2: The action (event) is detected by an action detection means, viadirect or indirect means, such as, for example, optical,electromagnetic, radio frequency, and/or acoustic methods thatdiscretely or in combination characterize the initial and/or ongoingaction. (Example: A friendly artillery locating radar picks up theincoming enemy artillery round and accurately measures itsballistic-based path of flight). Action characterization information isthe formulated, and the action characterization information subsequentlyfed to an event prediction determination process, as described in Step3.

Step 3: The action characterization information is processed andanalyzed in a timely manner. The result of this analysis generatespredicted corresponding future event and associated relevantinformation, defined as an event warning message. The event warningmessage includes, for example, event type (e.g., enemy attack,approaching severe weather, etc.), predicted location/area impacted bythe event, predicted start time of the event, and predicted duration ofthe event. For example, a command and control system (CCS) associatedwith friendly artillery locating radar uses the ballistic-based path offlight and speed of the enemy artillery round information received fromthe friendly artillery locating radar to determine the predicted Time ofImpact (PTI) and predicted point of impact (PPI) of the enemy artilleryround, with corresponding affected area footprint considering anyballistic measurement errors).

Step 4: The event warning message is distributed to all local nodes(i.e., all network bridges) within the information network withoutregard to whether a specific node will be affected by the future event.While this so-called “semi-distributed method”, which involvescommunication to all local nodes, whether in the affected area or not,exerts increased load on the communications network (e.g., increased useof bandwidth) versus a centralized network configuration (wherein theevent warning message is sent only to the network bridge and userwarning and positioning devices in the affected area), thesemi-distributed network configuration of the present invention providesfairly rapid and accurate event warning/notification to all affectedindividual nodes, since time delays or asset location errors associatedwith unit position reporting latencies and centralized computationalprocesses to determine which individual nodes will be specificallyimpacted by an event are minimized. In particular the network bridgesperform the intensive calculations, and can do so quicker and moreaccurately than a central processing means, as they are in communicationwith fewer individual nodes, and have constant access to very currentposition information of each individual node. Thus, the presentinvention permits fairly short warning/notification time windows betweenevent detection and impact on individual entities. (Example: A CCSgenerates a set of strike warning messages that are electronicallytransmitted to all local nodes within the network).

Step 5: Optionally, if either the communications network, informationnetwork, and/or versions of components within the system of the presentinvention are heterogeneous in nature, then a translation of the eventwarning message may be required in terms of format and content to insurecompatibility and continuity of timely transmittal as the event warningmessage makes it way to the user warning and positioning devices. Forexample, the CCS generates a variable-message-format (VMF) based strikewarning message(s). The unit-borne system addressed for receipt of thisstrike warning message is only able to parse and understand extensibleMarkup Language (XML) based messages. An interim system/device/processis required to translate the strike warning message from VMF to XML.)

Step 6: The network bridges receive and locally parse/process the futureevent warning message in a timely manner, via a computer processingmeans running the bridge device computer program product of the presentinvention. Whenever an event warning message is received by the networkbridge, the predicted time of the event is compared to the local time todetermine whether or not the event will occur at some future time. If itwill, the event warning message's authenticity is automatically verifiedby examining its digital signature. If the signature is valid, thelocale that is affected by the future event is automatically compared tothe location of each user warning and positioning device incommunication with the network bridge. If a user warning and positioningdevice is within the affected area, it is classified as “affected”, andan event warning message is communication to the affected user warningand positioning device.

Step 7: The user warning and positioning device receives the eventwarning message, authenticates the authenticity thereof by examining itsdigital signature, and if valid and authentic, notifies the user, basedon the time remaining until the future event, via the sensorynotification means. The sensory notification means may include audiblealarms, audible spoken warnings and instructions, visual alarms such asflashing lights, and/or vibrations mechanisms.

Optionally, the user warning and positioning device will also retransmitthe received event warning message to other network bridges and userwarning and positioning devices, so that other nodes that may not be inrange of the original transmission by the network bridge may alsoreceive the event warning message. All invalid or elapsed event warningmessages are logged and then discarded. The re-transmission feature onthe user warning and positioning device can be disabled to prolong powerlife, or to reduce the risk of detection by enemy assets in military andlaw enforcement applications. (Example: A pager-sized user warning andpositioning device carried by an individual dismounted soldier receivesand validates an XML-base strike (event) warning message. Computationallogic within this device activates several notification mechanisms foundwithin the device, to alert the soldier of an impending enemy strike inhis area).

Based on the set of alert actions selected by the user for his userwarning and positioning device (i.e., the user can select the types ofalerts given by his device, according to the situation), the user iswarned/notified via one or more sensory means prior to and during thetime period of the event occurrence. As discussed above, these sensoryindicia include auditory, visual, and/or physical stimulation of anindividual's bodily senses. (Example: A pager-sized user warning andpositioning device carried by a soldier can be programmed to bothvibrate and sound an audible alarm when receiving an event warningmessage, to notify the affected soldier to change his protective postureprior to impact of an enemy artillery round in his locale).

The present invention's network bridges provides three principlefunctions. First, it provides an interface between the user warning andpositioning devices and the external systems that receive, generate andutilize warning/notification information. In this role, the networkbridges translate messages received from other systems into eventwarning messages. They also translates messages received from theindividual user warning and positioning devices into other messageformats utilized by other different and multiple command and controlsystems. Thus, the network bridges also filter messages that should notbe sent from one network to the other, e.g., spot reports coming from aterrestrial command and control system.

Second, the network bridge acts as a management device for theindividual user warning and positioning devices. The network bridgekeeps track of the status and location of each user warning andpositioning devices with which it has communications contact, stores thelocation of each in a readily accessible location data storage means,and permits the selective disablement or remote alteration of anyindividual user warning and positioning device that appears to have beencompromised or lost. The network bridge is capable of configuring andreconfiguring any parameter in the individual user warning andpositioning devices, e.g., by changing the URN of a replacement userwarning and positioning device issued to a soldier.

Third, the network bridges act as the central data processing means,wherein the intensive calculations as to which user warning andpositioning devices in communication with each network bridge are in thepredicted locale of a future event are carried out. This systemarchitecture allows the sophisticated computer processing means to belocally located, allowing for the use of simple and inexpensiveindividual user warning and positioning devices.

The present invention's network bridge communicates with sensor,warning, and command and control systems that use different networks andprotocols. For example, the present invention's network bridge can usethe internet protocol (IP) at the network layer. Moreover, the networkbridge can communicate using both a local area network (LAN) and apoint-to-point (PPP) link in order to support both mobile/tactical andfixed installations.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the network bridge device isimplemented using a laptop computer running on a conventional operatingsystem. The network bridge supports various formats, such as extensibleMarkup Language (XML) messages, over an Ethernet interface, JointVariable Format Message (JVMF) over a point-to-point protocol (PPP)interface, etc. When a command and control system is connected to atactical network, e.g., SINCGARS, the CCS connects over its serial portto the Inter-Network Controller (INC), which is a tactical routermounted on the radio's vehicular adapter. The serial connection isestablished using PPP. Then, the CCS queries the INC to determine itsconfiguration and, if necessary, reconfigures it using the simplenetwork management protocol (SNMP). Thereafter, the CCS exchangesregular IP traffic, e.g., event warning messages, across the serialport. When the CCS is running on a LAN, multicast groups are utilized totransmit packets. By contrast, other sensor and warning systems useother languages, such as extensible markup language (XML) for themessages.

The present invention is applicable to numerous CCS's, such as space,airborne, terrestrial and marine-based system. For instance, multipleterrestrial-based systems can be utilized. For example, some CCS'sutilize non-persistent transmission control protocol (TCP) connectionsto send messages. Thus, such CCS's create a client socket that connectsto a server socket on the receiving system, i.e., the present system'snetwork bridge, sends the XML message, and then disconnects. On theother hand, other CCS's create a client socket that connects to theserver socket on the receiving system, i.e., the network bridge of thepresent invention, and then maintains that connection indefinitely. Whena message needs to be transmitted, there is no delay in setting up aconnection and, if the connection is lost, the CCS will immediatelydetect the lost connection and try to re-establish it.

The present invention permits message and source authentication,encryption, secure reconfiguration of user warning and positioningdevices, and remote zero. Accordingly, the system, method and computerprogram product of the present invention utilize public keyinfrastructure (PKI) to mitigate security risks to the system itself.According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when anindividual user warning and positioning device is initially configured,it is loaded with a plurality, e.g., four, separate encryption keys asfollows:

1) the device's own certificate;

2) the device's own private key;

3) the certificate of the network bridge serving as the root certificateauthority; and

4) the shared secret key for encrypting messages.

Further, keys are issued by the network bridges that are acting as theroot certificate authority for all user warning and positioning devicesin the network bridge area of operation. Certificates are signed by thisroot certificate authority (CA) to allow nodes (such as user warning andpositioning devices) to authenticate one another. Moreover, certificaterevocation is provided. Thus, the present invention permits both a userwarning and positioning device, and its associated network bridge, toauthenticate each other, and is particularly important whenever the userwarning and positioning device's configuration is remotely modified. Asa practical field operation protocol, the only key that should bechanged over the air is the shared secret key, but only after theidentity of the network bridge has been verified.

Moreover, transmission encryption is provided. Accordingly, theencryption key cannot be read out of the radio transceiver module (ofthe wireless communication means of the user warning and positioningdevice) by any means. The entire payload of the data packet is encryptedusing the key, and the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) is computed acrossthe ciphertext. A module with the wrong key (or no key) will stillreceive encrypted data, but this data will be unreadable and useless.Likewise, a module with a key will still receive unencrypted data sentfrom a module without a key, but the output will be similarlymeaningless.

According to the present invention, certain types of event warningmessages are authenticated upon receipt. Specifically, in these casesthe user warning and positioning devices will verify the identity of amessage sender when the received message instructs the user warning andpositioning device to modify its configuration. Thus, authentication isperformed according to the following steps:

Step 1: A network bridge sends a configuration message to a specificuser warning and positioning device. This message contains a pluralityof values, e.g., three, separated or parsed values as follows:

1) the parameter name, e.g., “retransmit”);

2) the desired value, e.g., “no”; and

3) the secure hash of the concatenated parameter name, equality sign,and value, e.g., retransmit=no. This secure hash is a hash, e.g., MD5,of the string encrypted using the bridge's private key.

Step 2: The recipient user warning and positioning device automaticallylooks in its cache for the sender's (the network bridge mentioned inStep 1) public key. If it doesn't find one, the user warning andpositioning device automatically sends a request for this key to thesender. The sender subsequently sends a message with its public key,which has been encrypted using the root certificate authority's privatekey. The recipient that has the root CA's public key, decrypts the keyit received and adds it to its cache.

Step 3: The recipient user warning and positioning device automaticallycomputes the hash, e.g., MD5, of the received string, e.g.,retransmit=no. The user warning and positioning device thenautomatically decrypts the received hash using the sender's public keyand compares the received and the computed hash values. If they match,the recipient user warning and positioning device knows that thereceived configuration message is a legitimate authentic message.

According to the present invention, the event warning message reachesall network bridges, but only the affected user warning and positioningdevices, thereby decreasing the data communications load in comparisonto a distributed system in which all individual nodes, regardless oftheir location, receive the event warning message. In the event that anumber of user warning and positioning devices are not in communicationcontact with a network bridge at a particular point in time, the systemof the present invention optionally allows the user warning andpositioning devices receiving event warning messages to selectivelyrelay future event warning messages, including multiple occurrences.

The present invention permits retransmission of event warning messages,in appropriate instances, depending on the specified configuration ofthe user warning and positioning devices, e.g., when the event warningmessage contains an appropriate configuration file. Thus, a specificevent warning message can be transmitted once or multiple times. In thecase that the event warning message is to be communicated only once,e.g., to prevent redundancy of an event warning message that has alreadyoccurred, the system will ensure that it is configured not to allowretransmissions. The system checks, e.g., a local cache, to ensure thatthe event warning message has not already been relayed. Conversely, inthe case of retransmission, the system checks to ensure that thethreatened event has not occurred in the past.

The present invention is also particularly robust through itsintegration of verbal (as opposed to merely sound) warnings. Inparticular, specific event warning messages are transmitted to anaffected user warning and positioning device, decoded therein todetermine the future event, an appropriate spoken warning broadcast, anda corresponding audible spoken warning made to the user via the sensorynotification means of the device, so that users may hear a human voicebroadcast by the user warning and positioning device, instructing theuser as to what subsequent actions to take in response to the impendingevent.

The system, method and computer program product of the present inventionare also useful for training, simulation, and rehearsal, along withreal-time use by organizations such as first responders, public safety,emergency management personnel with warning of harmful events, such asemergency response, homeland security, natural disaster incidents, etc.For example, the present invention may be utilized to support firstresponders in disaster areas by tracking their location and allowing acommand post to send a danger signal (i.e., an event warning message) tothe first responders if an unsafe condition is detected in a particularsector. In such case, as the network area is very limited, the dangersignal would only affect the personnel in the danger area such as,perhaps, a building about to collapse.

In another example, the present invention may be utilized to support lawenforcement officers by allowing a precinct to position the officers tobest deter or respond to criminal activity. Further, the presentinvention may be utilized to provide remotely located individuals, suchas skiers, hikers, etc., with warning of harmful events, such as suddenviolent weather changes, avalanches, natural disasters, etc. Further,the present invention may be utilized to provide remotely locatedvehicles, such as watercraft, with advanced warning of impending harmfulevents in their locale, such as violent ocean conditions, water spouts,sea state changes, tidal waves, etc.

The present invention is applicable to commercial/non-military, as wellas military, applications. Further, the possible events addressed by thesystem, method and computer program product of present invention rangefrom day-to-day events, such as a street-side performance at a largeamusement park, road closing due to construction, etc., to lifethreatening events, such as the imminent collapse of a building within adisaster area, the imminent detonation of a roadside bomb, etc. Thehuman-computer interface implemented at the user warning and positioningdevice allows users to reconfigure the settings of the device todetermine the content and amount of information that is relayed to user,and can be flexibly configured to address a multitude of events andthreats.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that the system, method andcomputer program product of the present invention has many applications,and that the present invention is not limited to the representativeexamples disclosed herein. Although illustrative, the embodimentsdisclosed herein have a wide range of modification, change andsubstitution that is intended and in some instances some features of thepresent invention may be employed without a corresponding use of theother features.

Moreover, the scope of the present invention covers conventionally knownvariations and modifications to the system components described herein,as would be known by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it isappropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in amanner consistent with the scope of the invention.

1. A network event warning system enabling distribution of event warningmessages to one or more affected individual entities within the networkinformation system is provided comprising: (a) one or more situationalawareness workstation and threat warning gateways capable of receivingevent warnings from linked and/or remote sensors, and/or otherexternally generated event warning messages, each of said situationawareness workstation and threat warning gateways comprising: a gatewaywireless communications means capable of receiving and transmittingdata; and situational awareness workstation computing means incommunication with the situational awareness workstation and threatwarning gateway and wireless communication means, said situationalawareness workstation computing means; (b) one or more network bridgesin communication with the situational awareness workstation and threatwarning gateway, each network bridge defining a local node, said networkbridges providing a communications interface between individual userwarning and positioning devices and the situational awarenessworkstation and threat warning gateway, each of said network bridgescomprising: (i) a network bridge wireless communications means capableof receiving and transmitting data; and (ii) network bridge computerprocessing means in communication with the network bridge and networkwireless communications means, individual user warning and positioningdevices, sensors, and command and control systems; and (iii) a localdata storage means in communication with the network bridge computerprocessing means, for storage of location/geographical position datareceived from the individual user warning and positioning devices; (c)one or more user warning and positioning devices, each user warning andpositioning device defining an individual node, each of said devicescomprising: (i) a warning device computer processing means; (ii) aglobal positioning system (GPS) means capable of calculating thelocation of the user warning device, said GPS in communication with thewarning device computer processing means; (iii) a wirelesscommunications means in communication with the warning device computerprocessing means; and (iv) one or more sensory notification means; (d)network situational awareness workstation application program codeembodied on a computer readable medium for execution on the situationalawareness workstation and threat gateway computer processing meanscapable of authenticating event warning messages, processing andanalyzing the event warning messages via an event predictiondetermination process to produce predicted future event warningmessages, and distributing future event warning messages to the networkbridges comprising: (i) application program code operable to decode andauthenticate a valid event warning message, input directly or indirectlyinto the situational awareness workstation and threat warning gateway,by verifying the digital signature of the event warning message; (ii)application program code operable to input and authenticate an eventwarning message into an event prediction determination process, therebyanalyzing the event warning message to predict a corresponding futureevent with associated relevant information including predicted eventtype, location, area impacted, start time, and duration; (iii)application program code operable to distribute the predicted futureevent and associated relevant information to all network bridges withinthe information network, without regard to whether a specific local orindividual node will be affected by the predicted future event; and (iv)application program code operable to convert the format of the predictedfuture event information, in terms of electronic format and content, toalternative electronic formats, before distribution; (e) bridgeapplication program code embodied on a computer readable medium forexecution on the network bridge computer processing means for processingevent warning messages received from the situational awarenessworkstation and threat warning gateway, and other external sources,determining which user warning and positioning devices in communicationwith the local node will be affected by the future event, anddistributing an authenticated event warning message of an event to occurin the future to all affected user warning and positioning devices, saidbridge application program code comprising: (i) application program codeoperable to automatically verify the authenticity of an event warningmessage reporting an event to occur in the future, by examining itsdigital signature, so as to produce either an invalid or valid eventwarning message; (ii) application program code operable to input a validevent warning message into an event prediction process, wherein thepredicted time of the event is compared with the local time, todetermine whether the event will occur at some future time; (iii)application program code operable to track the status of each userwarning and positioning devices with which the network bridge is incommunication, by receiving periodic location reports from each userwarning and positioning device, and storing said location report in thelocal data storage means; (iv) application program code operable toautomatically compare the locale to be affected by an authenticatedevent warning message of an event to occur in the future within thelocale of the local node, to determine the affected area; (v)application program code operable to identify all user warning andpositioning devices in communication with the local node which are inthe affected area, by comparing the most recent location data containedin the location reports of each user warning and positioning device withlocation data of the affected area, so as to determine all affected userwarning and positioning devices; (v) application program code operableto send notification to all affected user warning and positioningdevices of an authenticated event warning message of an event predictedto occur in the future; (vi) application program code operable to logoff and discard all invalid and elapsed event warning messages; (vii)application program code operable to input and translate authenticatedevent warning messages from individual user warning and positioningdevices into other message formats utilized by other different commandand control systems; (viii) application program code operable to filterevent warning messages that should not be sent from one network to theother; (ix) application program code operable to enable the networkbridges to communicate with sensors, individual user warning andpositioning devices, and command and control systems, using differentnetworks and protocols; and (x) application program code operable toissue keys acting as the root certificate authority for all nodes in thenetwork, thereby permitting the network bridges and user warning andpositioning devices to authenticate each other; (f) user warning andpositioning device application program code embodied on acomputer-readable medium for execution on the user warning devicecomputer processing means in conjunction with the bridge applicationprogram code and the situational awareness workstation program code,said user warning device application program code being capable ofdecoding messages, validating received event warning messages, and thenissuing a notification of an event predicted to occur in the future inthe locale of the user warning device, said user warning deviceapplication program code comprising: (i) application program codeoperable to authenticate received event warning messages by verifyingthe digital signature of the event warning messages; (ii) applicationprogram code operable to decode incoming coded messages; (iii)application program code operable to query a local cache of messages todetermine whether an event warning message has already been relayed;(iv) application program code operable to relay event warning messagesconcerning an event that has not as yet happened and has not as yet beenrelayed; (v) application program code operable to notify local nodeswithin the affected area of the predicted future event, and activateuser warning and positioning devices based upon the time remaining untilthe predicted event; and (vi) application program code operable toactivate one or more of the sensory notification means in the userwarning devices when a valid event warning message is received.
 2. Thenetwork event warning system of claim 1, wherein the bridge applicationprogram code further comprises: application program code operable toselectively disable or alter individual user warning and positioningdevices that appear to have been compromised or lost.
 3. The networkevent warning system of claim 1, wherein the bridge application programcode further comprises: application program code operable to reconfigureany parameters in the individual user warning and positioning devices,and application program code therein.
 4. The network event warningsystem of claim 1, wherein the bridge application program code furthercomprises: application program code operable to interface one or more ofthe network bridges with an optional laptop computer running on anoperating system.
 5. The network event warning system of claim 1,wherein the bridge application program code further comprises:application program code operable to revoke the certificate of a userwarning and positioning device.
 6. The network event warning system ofclaim 1, wherein the user warning and positioning device applicationprogram code further comprises: application program code operable toconvert event warning messages to human voice warnings, said human voicewarnings comprising instructions on what subsequent action to take inresponse to the future event.
 7. The network event warning system ofclaim 1, wherein the user warning and positioning device applicationprogram code further comprises: application program code operable toencrypt outgoing messages.
 8. The network event warning system of claim1, wherein the bridge application program code further comprises:application program code operable to encrypt outgoing messages.
 9. Thenetwork event warning system of claim 1, wherein the user warning andpositioning device application program code further comprises:application program code operable to utilize spread-spectrum technologyto prevent basic triangulation efforts to locate the user warning andpositioning device.
 10. The network event warning system of claim 1,wherein the user warning and positioning devices are capable ofcommunicating over wired or wireless systems to the network bridges andother user warning and positioning devices.
 11. The network eventwarning system of claim 1, wherein the user warning and positioningdevice application program code further comprises: application programcode operable to reconfigure the files stored in the user warning andpositioning device.
 12. The network event warning system of claim 1,wherein the bridge application program code further comprises:application program code operable to connect user warning andpositioning devices to command and control systems and sensor systems.13. A computer program product for tactical distributed event warningover a network event warning system, comprising: (a) network situationalawareness workstation application program code embodied on a computerreadable medium for execution on a situational awareness workstation andthreat gateway computer processing means capable of authenticating eventwarning messages, processing and analyzing the event warning messagesvia an event prediction determination process to produce predictedfuture event warning messages, and distributing future event warningmessages to one or more network bridges comprising: (i) applicationprogram code operable to decode and authenticate a valid event warningmessage, input directly or indirectly into the situational awarenessworkstation and threat warning gateway, by verifying the digitalsignature of the event warning message; (ii) application program codeoperable to input and authenticate an event warning message into anevent prediction determination process, thereby analyzing the eventwarning message to predict a corresponding future event with associatedrelevant information including predicted event type, location, areaimpacted, start time, and duration; (iii) application program codeoperable to distribute the predicted future event and associatedrelevant information to all network bridges within the informationnetwork, without regard to whether a specific local or individual nodewill be affected by the predicted future event; and (iv) applicationprogram code operable to convert the format of the predicted futureevent information, in terms of electronic format and content, toalternative electronic formats, before distribution; (b) bridgeapplication program code embodied on a computer readable medium forexecution on a network bridge computer processing means for processingevent warning messages received from the situational awarenessworkstation and threat warning gateway, and other external sources, soas to determine which user warning and positioning devices incommunication with the network bridge will be affected by the futureevent, and distribute an authenticated event warning message of an eventto occur in the future to all affected user warning and positioningdevices, said bridge application program code comprising: (i)application program code operable to automatically verify theauthenticity of an event warning message reporting an event to occur inthe future, by examining its digital signature, so as to produce eitheran invalid or valid event warning message; (ii) application program codeoperable to input a valid event warning message into an event predictionprocess, wherein the predicted time of the event is compared with thelocal time, to determine whether the event will occur at some futuretime; (iii) application program code operable to track the status ofuser warning and positioning devices with which the network bridge is incommunication, by receiving periodic location reports from each userwarning and positioning device, and storing said location report in alocal data storage means; (iv) application program code operable toautomatically compare the locale to be affected by an authenticatedevent warning message of an event to occur in the future within thelocale of the network bridge, to determine the affected area; (v)application program code operable to identify all user warning andpositioning devices in communication with the network bridge which arein the affected area, by comparing most recent location data containedin location reports received from each user warning and positioningdevice in communication with the network bridge with location data ofthe affected area, so as to determine all affected user warning andpositioning devices; (vi) application program code operable to sendnotification to all affected user warning and positioning devices of anauthenticated event warning message of an event predicted to occur inthe future; (vii) application program code operable to log off anddiscard all invalid and elapsed event warning messages; (viii)application program code operable to input and translate authenticatedevent warning messages from individual user warning and positioningdevices into other message formats utilized by other different commandand control systems; (ix) application program code operable to filterevent warning messages that should not be sent from one network to theother; (x) application program code operable to enable the networkbridges to communicate with sensors, individual user warning andpositioning devices, and command and control systems, using differentnetworks and protocols; and (xi) application program code operable toissue keys acting as the root certificate authority for all nodes in thenetwork, thereby permitting the network bridges and user warning andpositioning devices to authenticate each other; and (c) user warning andpositioning device application program code embodied on acomputer-readable medium for execution on the user warning devicecomputer processing means in conjunction with the bridge applicationprogram code and the situational awareness workstation program code,said user warning device application program code being capable ofdecoding messages, validating received event warning messages, and thenissuing a notification of an event predicted to occur in the future inthe locale of the user warning device, said user warning deviceapplication program code comprising: (i) application program codeoperable to authenticate received event warning messages by verifyingthe digital signature of the event warning messages; (ii) applicationprogram code operable to decode incoming coded messages; (iii)application program code operable to query a local cache of messages todetermine whether an event warning message has already been relayed;(iv) application program code operable to relay event warning messagesconcerning an event that has not as yet happened and has not as yet beenrelayed; (v) application program code operable to notify local nodeswithin the affected area of the predicted future event, and activateuser warning and positioning devices based upon the time remaining untilthe predicted event; and (vi) application program code operable toactivate one or more of the sensory notification means in the userwarning and positioning devices when a valid event warning message isreceived.
 14. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein thenetwork bridge application program code further comprises: applicationprogram code operable to selectively disable or alter individual userwarning and positioning devices that appear to have been compromised orlost.
 15. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the networkbridge application program code further comprises: application programcode operable to reconfigure any parameters in the individual userwarning and positioning devices, and application program code therein.16. The computer program product of claim 13, wherein the network bridgeapplication program code further comprises: application program codeoperable to interface one or more network bridges with an optionallaptop computer running on a conventional operating system.
 17. Thecomputer program product of claim 13, wherein the network bridgeapplication program code further comprises: application program codeoperable to revoke the certificate of a user warning and positioningdevice.
 18. A method for receiving and tactically semi-distributingevent warnings comprising the steps of: (1) electronically receiving anevent warning message, having a digital signature, at a situationalawareness workstation; (2) examining the digital signature of the eventwarning message to authenticate the event warning message; (3) decodingthe authenticated event warning message into a readable format; (4)analyzing the authenticated event warning message so as to generatecorresponding predicted event and associated relevant information, saidpredicted event and associated relevant information including eventtype, event location, area impacted, event start time, and eventduration, so as to define an event warning message; (5) converting theevent warning message to an electronic format and content readable by anetwork bridge (local node) and a user warning and positioning device(individual node); (6) distributing the event warning message bytransmission of same from the situational awareness workstation to allnetwork bridges in communication with the situational awarenessworkstation, without regard to whether a specific local or individualnode will be affected by the predicted event; (7) receipt of the eventwarning message in one or more network bridges, and verifying, in thenetwork bridges, the validity of the event warning message received fromthe situational awareness workstation, so as to authenticate same; (8)comparing, in the network bridges, the predicted time of the predictedevent in the authenticated event warning message with the local time, todetermine whether the event has already occurred, and if the predictedevent has not occurred, generate a future authenticated event warningmessage; (9) filtering out event warning messages, at the networkbridges, that should not be sent from one network to another, due tolack of validity or authenticity; (10) tracking the status of userwarning and positioning devices in communication with the networkbridge, to determine active or inactive status thereof, by receivingperiod location reports containing location data from each user warningand positioning device in communication with a network bridge, andstoring the location reports in a local storage means in communicationwith the network bridge; (11) comparing the locale to be affected by thevalid and authenticated event warning message with the local data foreach user warning and positioning device, so as to determine userwarning and positioning devices to be affected by the future event; (12)translating the future authenticated event warning messages at thenetwork bridge into other message formats utilized by other differentcommand and control systems and user warning and positioning devices;(13) issuing, at the network bridges, keys acting as the rootcertificate authority for all nodes in the network information system,permitting the network bridges and user warning and positioning devicesto authenticate each other; (14) distributing the valid, converted andauthenticated event warning message from the network bridges to allaffected active user warning and positioning devices in communicationwith the network bridge; (15) receiving the valid, converted andauthenticated event warning message at the affected user warning andpositioning devices, (16) examining, in the user warning and positioningdevices, the digital signature of the incoming event warning message toverify its authenticity; (17) discarding all invalid and elapsed warningmessages at the user warning and positioning devices; (18) comparing inthe user warning and positioning devices the time of the predicted eventor threat in the event warning message to the local time, to determinewhether the event will occur at some future time and, if it will,authenticating the message; (19) decoding, in the user warning andpositioning devices, incoming coded event warning messages; and (20)activating one or more notification mechanisms in the user warning andpositioning devices, including sensory mechanisms, a user notificationconcerning the received event warning message.
 19. The method forreceiving and tactically distributing event warnings of claim 18,further comprising the step of establishing and maintainingcommunication between the network bridge, sensors, user warning andpositioning devices, and command and control systems, using differentnetworks and protocols.
 20. The method for receiving and tacticallydistributing event warnings of claim 18, further comprising: sending aquery from the user warning and positioning devices to a local cache ofmessages to determine whether the event warning message has already beenrelayed; and relaying, from the user warning and positioning devices toother nodes in the network information system, the event warning messageconcerning an event that has not as yet happened and has not as yet beenrelayed.
 21. The method for receiving and tactically distributing eventwarnings of claim 17, further comprising converting valid event warningmessages to human voice warnings with instructions on what subsequentaction to take.
 22. The method for receiving and tactically distributingevent warnings of claim 18, further comprising sending messages from oneor more of the network bridges to one or more of user warning andpositioning devices, to either alter, reconfigure, or disable one ormore of the user warning and positioning devices.